Guide for winding paper strips

ABSTRACT

A paper quilling tool that provides a flat surface for the paper strips to be wound. This flat surface includes a small hole in the center for a slotted quilling tool to be inserted in the bottom. The tip of the slotted quilling tool then protrudes through the top side of the guide exposing the slotted tip of the tool. The paper strip is inserted into the slot and the slotted quilling tool rotated to wind the paper around the tip. The flat surface of the guide allows the paper strip to be rolled while keeping the paper edges even, providing the coiled paper shape needed for the paper quilling craft.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the craft of paper quilling and, more particularly, to a paper quilling tool that guides paper strips as they are wound into a coil.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Paper quilling is a craft where paper strips are rolled, or wound, into coils. These coils can then be pinched into different shapes. The shapes are used as an embellishment in cardmaking, scrapbooking, decorating pictures and other paper crafts. Throughout history, crafters have used a variety of different tools to assist them in winding the paper strips. Paper quilling originally got its name as the paper strips were wound around feather quills. More modern implements include needles, hairpins and most recently, narrow dowels that have a slot down the center to hold the paper strip in place as the paper is wound. These tools are commonly referred to as slotted quilling tools. When using any of these implements, it is very challenging to wind the paper so the edges of the paper strips are even. Uneven edges results in the final craft looking sloppy and unprofessional.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a paper quilling tool that provides a flat surface for the paper strips to be wound. This flat surface includes a small hole in the center for a slotted quilling tool to be inserted in the bottom. The tip of the slotted quilling tool then protrudes through the top side of the guide exposing the slotted tip of the tool. The paper strips can then be inserted into the slot and the slotted quilling tool rotated to wind the paper around the tip. The flat surface of the guide allows the paper strip to be rolled while keeping the paper edges even, providing the coiled paper shape needed for the paper quilling craft.

It would be advantageous to provide a flat surfaced guide for winding strips of paper used in paper quilling.

It would also be advantageous to provide a guide that can be used with a slotted quilling tool, since this is the most common tool for rolling paper strips.

It would also be advantageous to provide a guide that is easy to hold in one hand while turning the slotted tool with the other hand.

It would also be advantageous to provide a guide that includes different size concentric circles to be used as a size reference for rolling paper strips.

It would further be advantageous to provide a guide that is transparent. This will assist the users coordination as they will be able to see both hands working together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a guide for winding paper strips in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front detail view of a guide for winding paper strips; and

FIG. 3 is a right perspective view of a guide for winding paper strips to demonstrate functionality.

For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a guide for winding a paper strip 10 in accordance with the invention. The guide 20 may be fabricated of wood, plastic, metal or any other suitable material. In order to provide stability for the paper strips as they are rolled, a flat rolling surface 21 is essential for the paper strips to be rolled against. This rolling surface 21 also needs to be smooth. These two features allow for the paper to be easily and evenly rolled.

In the center of the rolling surface 21 is the slotted tool hole 22. This hole goes all the way through the guide 20 and allows for the tip of the slotted tool 30 to be inserted into the bottom of the guide 20 and protrude out the top.

Protruding from the rolling surface 21 is a handle 23. The handle 23, while not essential to the invention, does provide comfort to the user as well as helps to stabilize the guide 20 while in use.

FIG. 2 is a detailed front view of the guide for winding a paper strip 10. It illustrates the concentric set of reference circles 24 used to identify different rolled paper sizes. While this is an optional feature, it does provide the user with a reference to how large their paper roll sizes should be. This set of reference circles 24 consists of small, medium and large concentric circles. These can be used in instructional kits (not shown) to identify, for the user, what paper strip 40 roll size is needed to create the paper craft design in the kit.

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the guide for winding a paper strip 10. This view shows additional non-claimed elements to add further detail to the operation of the guide 20. It illustrates how a paper strip 40 is used with the guide 20 and slotted tool 30.

In operation, the user will be holding the guide 20 by the handle 23 with one hand, not shown. The user then inserts the slotted tool tip 31 into the slotted tool hole 22 on the bottom of the guide 20. The slotted tool 30 is pushed into the slotted tool hole 22 so that the tip protrudes out from the front of the guide 20. The end of a paper strip 40 can then be inserted into the slot 32 of the slotted tool tip 31. The slotted tool 30 is then rotated by the user, as slight fingertip pressure is applied to the top edge of the paper strip 40 above the slotted tool tip 31. As the slotted tool 30 is rotated, and the paper strip 40 is wound around the slotted tool tip 31, the paper strip 40 is kept even due to the flat rolling surface 21 of the guide 20. This prevents the paper from uncoiling out into a cone shape.

Thus, in summary, it can be seen that what is provided in this invention is a guide for winding a paper strip 10 in an efficient manner. It provides a rolling surface 21 so the paper coils will roll evenly, easily providing the basic coiled shape needed in the paper quilling craft.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims. 

1. A guide for winding paper strips for evenly winding paper strips, comprising: means for providing a flat surface for the paper strip to evenly and smoothly roll; and means for curling paper strips along the guide surface with a slotted quilling tool, fully embedded to said means for providing a flat surface for the paper strip to evenly and smoothly roll.
 2. The guide for winding paper strips in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing a flat surface for the paper strip to evenly and smoothly roll comprises a substantially flat, smooth rolling surface.
 3. The guide for winding paper strips in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for curling paper strips along the guide surface with a slotted quilling tool comprises a round slotted tool hole.
 4. A guide for winding paper strips for evenly winding paper strips, comprising: a substantially flat, smooth rolling surface, for providing a flat surface for the paper strip to evenly and smoothly roll; and a round slotted tool hole, for curling paper strips along the guide surface with a slotted quilling tool, fully embedded to said rolling surface.
 5. The guide for winding paper strips as recited in claim 4, further comprising: a contoured, beveled edge handle, for providing a comfortable hand grip to stabilize the guide, rigidly formed into to said rolling surface.
 6. The guide for winding paper strips as recited in claim 4, further comprising: a concentric set of reference circles, for referencing rolled paper sizes.
 7. The guide for winding paper strips as recited in claim 5, further comprising: a concentric set of reference circles, for referencing rolled paper sizes.
 8. A guide for winding paper strips for evenly winding paper strips, comprising: a substantially flat, smooth rolling surface, for providing a flat surface for the paper strip to evenly and smoothly roll; a round slotted tool hole, for curling paper strips along the guide surface with a slotted quilling tool, fully embedded to said rolling surface; a contoured, beveled edge handle, for providing a comfortable hand grip to stabilize the guide, rigidly formed into to said rolling surface; and a concentric set of reference circles, for referencing rolled paper sizes. 